“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” is one of the most popularly accepted definitions of sustainability. It takes its roots from the 1987 United Nations Brundtland Commission.

A universally-accepted definition is elusive because sustainability is expected to achieve many things on many levels – locally, regionally, nationally and globally. And each of these priorities can differ based on a particular individual’s or institution’s principles, perspectives or passions.